xenotes enigmatic waters tour by xcaret

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• About this activity

Tour Cenotes Enigmatic Waters by Xcaret

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Selective hotel pickup
• Features animals Features animals
• Guided access to 4 unique cenotes in natural surroundings
• Zip-lining over geological formations in Yucatán Peninsula
• Snorkeling & kayaking in the blue water of natural sinkholes
• Opportunity to rappel safely down cave walls
• Aid of a professional guide & roundtrip transportation

Activity location

• Ruta de Cenotes
• 77580, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
• Wed, May 1 -
• Thu, May 2 $143
• Fri, May 3 $143
• Sat, May 4 $143
• Sun, May 5 -
• Mon, May 6 $143
• Tue, May 7 $143
• Wed, May 8 $143
• Thu, May 9 $143
• Fri, May 10 $143
• Sat, May 11 $143
• Sun, May 12 -
• Mon, May 13 $143
• Tue, May 14 $143
• Wed, May 15 $143

Xenotes Enigmatic Waters Excursion

• Activity duration is 9 hours 9h 9h
• Food and Drinks

In Xenotes you will get different adventures: rappelling, ziplining, kayaking and snorkeling. Learn from an expert guide about cenote formation and admire the various physical attributes of each type of sinkhole. During this fun flurry of activity hear about the mythical spirit-guardians that protect these cenote sites. Enjoy cookies and chocolate after the 1st cenote adventure and then after the 3rd taste scrumptious gourmet picnic lunch .

Round-trip transport from your hotel is included. If your hotel is not listed in our routes we are going to pick you up in the nearest meeting point available.

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included Admission to Xenotes Oasis Maya
• What's included What's included Roundtrip transportation to and from most Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Riviera Maya hotels
• What's included What's included Light lunch, coffee, chocolate, and sweet breads
• What's included What's included Xenotes equipment includes towels, life jackets, snorkeling, rappel gear, and/or inner tube
• What's included What's included Brunch (Food and beverages)
• What's included What's included Restrooms and changing rooms
• What's included What's included Commentary in English and Spanish

Know before you book

• Children 5 and younger are not allowed.
• If you have heart or lung ailments, asthma, back problems, hypertension, or you are pregnant, you should not participate.
• The pickup operates from different hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya so it is necessary to contact Customer Service of Grupo Xcaret to know the exact schedule of your pickup by calling in Mexico 998-883-3143 or by sending a message to [email protected]
• Children 6 and older must be accompanied by a paying adult.
• If you are traveling with infants, it is necessary to add them in your booking since by the Mexican law they must be included in the passenger list of the bus / van
• The start time shown on your voucher, is informative.
• Changes in visit dates between high and low seasons will have additional payments on the day of your visit. Prices are available on Expedia's app calendar.

What you can expect

Spend your day on an authentic adventure exploring 4 unique cenotes (natural sinkholes) in Mexico. Let your expert tour guide show you the way as you zip-line, kayak, rappel, and snorkel into some of Mexico's natural wonders.

Enjoy roundtrip transportation and relax on your ride into Xenotes Oasis Maya. Cenotes are breath-taking natural geological formations, perfect for the adventurer inside you. Explore the crystal-clear groundwater and take in the natural caverns that surround you.

Each of the 4 cenotes offers a unique activity. Try your hand at zip-lining, rappelling, kayaking, and snorkeling. Towel off for lunch and enjoy a variety of food including soups, cheeses, deli meats, rustic breads, and an assortment of fresh sides. These free-formed cenotes offer a safe and relaxing environment for a natural escape from the daily grind.

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A Guide to Xenotes Water Tours by Xcaret

Sep 23, 2020 | Central America | 0 comments

Does rappelling, kayaking, swimming, zip-lining and cliff diving into a cenote sound fun? What about a jungle picnic? If so, this all inclusive excursion was designed especially for you. This is your chance to spend an entire day, deep in the River Maya jungles at Xenotes. Goodbye beach…the jungle is the new place to be!

COVID-19 Warning: Masks are required on the transportation bus and when entering the cenotes. However, a mask is not required during the actual excursion. For your safety, your temperature will be taken before entering the bus and your shoes will be sanitized.

About Xenotes

This area of Mexico is known for its beaches, along with some of the world’s best hidden cenotes. What is a cenote? It is a natural fresh water filled sinkhole in limestone found especially in the Mexico.

On this “all inclusive” tour, you will visit four types of cenotes located in the Mayan Jungle. While at the cenotes, you will get a chance to rappel, zip-line, cliff dive, water slide, swim and kayak.

Insider Tip: The average temperature of a cenote is 75 degrees.

Park Information

You must buy tickets in advance.

Adults Online

Adults In person

Children Online (6 – 11 years old) 50% off

Children In person

Click here for tickets .

Age requirement is 6 years old.

Xenotes Tour is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The tour lasts about nine hours, including transfers. Pick up and drop off times vary, depending on your hotel.

Insider Tip: This excursion is free if you are staying at the Hotel Xcaret. Reservations are required in advance . Please click here for more information about the hotel.

Where is Xenotes

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Transportation

Transportation pick up is 8am to 10am, depending on the location of your hotel. If you are staying at Hotel Xcaret, the park will provide you with transportation. Everyone is assigned a bus and a guide. You will be with the same guide and group of ten people for the entire excursion. A mask is required on the bus at all times. A photographer will be assigned to your group and he will act as your very own hidden personal paparazzi. Bring your credit card because you will want to buy these pictures!

Insider Tip: Bring Tip money for your guide. It will be a tip well deserved. These guys go all out to make sure you have an amazing time.

Pre-Excursion

Once you are at your destination, you will be given a bag which will hold all your items including your mask. No need to bring towels because they will be provided to you during the excursion.

You are required to take a shower before entering the cenotes, to make sure that your skin is free from perfumes, creams and chemicals, which can be harmful to the environment. No sunscreen or insect repellent is allowed.

At this time, everyone will be given Mexican pastries for breakfast along with a non-alcoholic drink. Yum! Keep those water bottles at your hotel. Water is included on this excursion.

Welcome to the Jungle

This tour is in the Mayan jungle. Bring water shoes & cover ups for when you are on the bus going from cenotes to cenotes. There are four cenotes on this tour and each requires a bus ride to get to the next one.

Here all the activities that are included on this excursion.

#1 Tierra Lu’um Cenote – Rappel into a Cavern

This is when the fun starts. We started our morning rappelling into a Mayan cavern which are some of the youngest cenotes used by the Mayans for ceremonies. The only way to access this underground treasure is by rappelling. This activity is for people looking for an adventure in nature.

You can rappel the boring way like me.

Or you can be adventurous and do it upside down like my husband.

Insider Tip: All of the pictures with logos on the top were taken by the photographer.

Once everyone is in the cavern, you are permitted to swim and jump off the rocks.

This is your chance to jump straight into crystal clear blue water.

Insider Tip: Life jackets are provided on this tour. A life vest is required during all of your activities.

#2 Li-‘K Cenote – Zip-lining and Cliff Diving

This is your chance to be a kid and zip line until your heart is content. This is an open cenote and one of the oldest. When you splash into the water, this is your opportunity to enjoy the underwater garden before hopping back on the zip-line to do it all over again. It never gets old.

There are several ways you can zip-line into the refreshing cenotes.

And…of course, you can jump! Why not, you are on vacation?

After you have completed a few activities, it’s time for lunch. Yes, this lunch is included with your tour. You are able to build your own dream sandwich, which will go perfect with your authentic Mexican soup. Delish!

#3 Há Cenote – Swimming & Kayaking

In order to kayak, you must swim though the cave into a hidden cenote. The water is several shades of blue-green and I like to use the word “refreshing” when talking about cenotes. Hint hint! However, the colors of the cenotes is absolutely breathtaking and totally worth it. You are given snorkel gear during this activity, so you can take in the crystal clear waters.

Next, you get to kayak the cenote through highwalls covered in nature.

#4 Ancient Cenote – Waterslides, Zip-lines and Cliff Diving in Cenote

This is your chance to do it all. Play hard and relax in the middle of nature. You can’t get anything better then this! This cenote was an important source of water for the Mayan Indians. The Mayans believed cenotes were the entrance to the underground world. Now, it’s the entrance to our all natural playground.

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Hi, I’m Misty! Welcome to Glam Journey, where you’ll find travel-related content, itineraries and booking services for the adventurous mom who is living her version of a glamorous life.

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Xcaret Xenotes Tour Review

Published: Jan 31, 2024 by Travel & Chai · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Xcaret's Xenotes Enigmatic Waters excursion is often cited as one of Grupo Xcaret's most popular tours. The full day excursion involves visiting four exclusive cenotes. This in-depth Xenotes review will detail the good and bad, letting you know if the trip is right for you!

Sometimes referred to as Xcaret's Enigmatic Waters Tour, the Xenotes tour is a full day outing that takes guests around four different cenotes - each cenote represents a different element, and is unique from the others.

The tour is available for no additional cost to guests of the Xcaret hotels including Xcaret Mexico, Xcaret Arte , and La Casa de la Playa. Additionally, guests of Xcaret parks are able to book the tour for an added fee.

In this guide to the Xenotes Tour, I'll tell you everything you need to know to decide whether you want to attend.

Transportation

• Who you'll be travelling with

The four cenotes

Bathrooms and changing rooms, what to do instead of xenotes, final thoughts.

The Xenotes tour is a full day tour. The bus leaves around 8am and returns around 5pm (depending on your pickup point). At the start of the tour, you will be introduced to your guide, who will tell you which group you're in.

There are usually four tours happening simultaneously each day, with each tour group going to a different cenote so that their paths rarely cross. When Reem and I visited, we were part of the Guacamayas!

This post will tell you everything you need to know about Xcaret's cenote tour from what happens at each cenote to what the bathroom situation is (crucial!).

What are cenotes

Cenotes are naturally forming sinkholes, filled with water. Some are open air, or semi-open, others are underground.

How to pronounce Xenotes

The 'X' sounds translates to a "esh" or "sha", and xenotes is pronounced "sha-no-tays".

Transport to and from the various cenotes is provided by Xcaret. Each group will be assigned to a green minivan (you'll always get back on to the same van, and sit in the same seats).

Depending on the size of your group, it may be a little bit of a squeeze in the van.

You're permitted to leave your belongs in the minivan while you visit each cenote but of course, it's an at your own risk type of deal. We left our backpacks (with our spare towels and dry clothes) in the minivan, but carried our phones and cameras with us to the cenotes.

It's worth noting that the road to cenotes is not well developed so parts of the ride can be very bumpy. The tour guide will usually make you aware when these sections are approaching (so that you can brace yourself!), but if you suffer from motion sickness, this may not be for you.

Pro tip : Pick one of the single seats on the van to avoid having to squish on any of the bench seats.

Who you'll be travelling with

Depending on how you book the excursion, you may be travelling with a different group. Typically, guests of Grupo Xcaret's resorts will travel together. While those that booked through Xcaret's website will travel as their own group.

This means that guests from Xcaret Arte may be grouped with guests from Xcaret Mexico or La Casa de la Playa, and vice versa. Therefore, guests of Xcaret Arte and La Casa de la Playa (both of which are adult-only resorts) may end up travelling with children (as Xcaret Mexico is a family resort). This didn't happen on our trip, though we did see kids in some of the other groups.

Throughout the course of the day, you will be visiting four different cenotes, all inclusive to Xcaret (so you don't have to worry about large crowds). Each cenote represents a different element, and has different activities to do. The order you visit them will depend on which group you're in.

The following is written in the order I experienced as a member of the Guacamayas group:

Ha' Cenote (Water)

There are two activities at the Ha' cenote, the first is kayaking. The kayaking takes place in narrow river formation; you'll get into your two-person kayak, and essentially paddle in a loop. It's not a long activity.

Kayaking is a fun and fairly easy activity. You don't need to worry about tipping over your kayak as these are fairly large kayaks that won't tip easily (as long as you're responsible!).

While the rock walls to our sides were beautiful, and the greenery around us was lush, this was actually the weakest part of the Xenotes tour for us, as the water we were kayaking in was very dirty.

As people who had previously never visited any cenotes, this first impression left us a little worried about what the water that we'd be swimming in would be like! (Thankfully, the water at every other location is much cleaner.)

Shortly after kayaking, you're taken to a cave entrance that leads into an underground river to snorkel through. Goggles, snorkel, and a mandatory life jacket are provided. This was a lot of fun, though the water was a bit cold. There weren't many interesting fish to see as far as the snorkeling went, but it was incredible to see how deep the cenote actually went.

Iik Cenote (Wind)

The Iik cenote is a large open air cenote surrounded by greenery. There's a zipline on each side of the cenote, and this part of the involves everyone getting multiple zipline attempts on both sides.

This was a lot of fun! There are a few different types of zipline grips so that meant you could zipline down in different positions, from a standard hanging on a monkey bar, to the Spider-Man (upside-down), to standing, or my personal favorite, the Princess (sitting on a hammock!).

The zipline ends in water, and you swim your way out.

For people that have been on many ziplines, this isn't the most hardcore zipline experience (it doesn't even match some of the ziplines at Xplor Park). It is however a fun experience, that's not so intimidating that most people would be afraid to try it.

This cenote is also the one that seemed to encourage the most discussion and mingling between the people in our group.

Lu'um Cenote (Earth)

Assisted rappel.

Lu'um Cenote is a wonderfully unique experience. The activity begins by everyone getting geared up to rappel, and then queuing to reach the top of a large wooden structure from which you will begin an assisted rappel into a large cavernous cenote.

Assisted rappel in this case means that you'll be strapped into the rappel system, but you will not be controlling the pulleys. The staff will lower you in safely, and your hands will be free to pose for photos (or wave to anyone waiting for you below).

Pro tip: The rappel itself is not very long (25 meters), and if you begin at the back of the line, it can take quite a while until it's your turn to descend (the majority of the time being spent on hooking you to the rappel). I'd recommend getting to the front of the line (I know, it might seem scary, but it's worth it), so that you can get the cenote almost completely to yourself. It also means you'll have more time in the cenote as those at the back of the line don't get as much time to swim around or explore.

Underground cenote

Lu'um Cenote is honestly breathtaking in its magnitude with hanging vines and sunlight peeking in from its entrance above. The water is an almost-unreal turquoise blue. And you'll have a few opportunities to jump into it from different heights. It's even fun just swimming around the large cave.

Warning : The water here is colder than any of the other cenotes by far.

K'aak' Cenote (Fire)

This gigantic open cenote was our final stop (and in my opinion is perfect as your final stop). There are three activities at K'aak', and they are done in a specific order: water slide, zipline and swim, and the Mayan sacrifice.

Water slide

The first activity at k'aak' cenote is a water slide for which you will line up with your group. The queue can be a little slow but the water slide is fun (though not very long). At the end of the water slide, you'll have to swim yourself to some nearby steps and queue up for the next activity.

Pro Tip: Make sure to swim away from your landing spot as soon as you're off the water slide...unless you want the person behind you to land on your head!

Zipline and swim

From the starting point as the water slide, you'll zipline hanging off a monkey bar (no choices this time around) into the warm cenote water. Here you'll have the option to climb out and walk to your next activity, or leisurely swim/float through the beautiful cenote water.

I highly recommend staying the water as you'll swim past some beautiful scenery, including some small waterfalls! This is the most peaceful and relaxing activity you'll do during the Xenotes tour.

Mayan Sacrifice

The optional final activity at X'aak' cenote is a high(-ish) cliff jump that's called the Mayan Sacrifice. You can do the jump multiple times, and it's a fun way to end your time at the cenote!

There are two meals provided during the Xenotes tour. These are included in the tour and there is no extra cost involved.

The first meal is provided at the end of the first cenote. I wouldn't describe this as a very filling meal or a full breakfast. You get an apple, a small pastry, a cup of coffee or Mexican hot chocolate, and juice.

We didn't particularly enjoy this meal, and were glad that we had eaten a quick breakfast at Xcaret Arte before beginning the trip.

Second meal - The Jungle Picnic

The second meal is provided at the end of the third cenote. This is a much more substantial meal and works as a lunch. It's a small buffet with the ability to build your own sandwiches - this includes choosing your bread, toppings, and sauces from a fairly decent selection.

There are a limited number of sides, and a small dessert option as well. Additionally, wine, beer, and soft drinks are available alongside bottled water.

We enjoyed this meal much more than the first. Don't worry about eating before going to the next cenote, there will be a drive as well as a set up period at your next cenote allowing plenty of time for the food to settle.

Quick drink

Water and soft drinks are available at the final cenote.

A legitimate concern you may have is the accessibility of bathrooms and changing rooms during the Xenotes trip. Thankfully, there are clean, well-maintained bathrooms, changing rooms, and showers at every cenote (you'll actually be asked to shower before entering the cenote waters).

Keep in mind that the bathrooms and changing rooms are usually not right next to the cenote activity so make sure to use them when you arrive at the cenote, or before you depart for your next cenote.

The Xenotes tour is fairly well-organized, but they don't do a great job at telling you how to prepare for it.

Physical ability. The first thing to know is that this tour is not appropriate for anyone with any mobility/health concerns. There are no accessibility options (other than sitting out). You should also be very comfortable swimming/floating. That said, the activities are not very demanding, and during our trip we saw people from a range of ages.

Appropriate gear . Start by reading our detailed post on what to take to the Xenotes tour , but if you're feeling lazy, the bear minimum should be swim trunks, water shoes , and a rash guard /wetsuit top.

Breakfast first . While a light breakfast is available after the first cenote, it's hardly filling (or even satisfying), make sure to grab a bite to eat before heading out in the morning. (Or keep a snack in your backpack.)

No valuables. You'll be jumping into water, swimming, kayaking, and ziplining. These are all activities where it's easy to lose valuables. Leave you wedding rings, earrings, and fancy watches at home. (You are technically able to leave your things in your group's van, however there's no security or lockers, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

No sunscreen. You're prohibited from wearing any sunscreen (including reef-safe sunscreens) at the cenotes - this is to protect the delicate ecosystem of the cenotes. You'll be asking to shower before entering the first cenote you visit to make sure any sunscreen already on you is washed off. The van windows have shades to make sure you don't burn on the drive to and from the cenotes.

Towel and dry clothes. Keep a spare towel and a dry change of clothes in your backpack. Save these until you've finished the fourth cenote so that you can comfortably change and have an extra towel for the trip home. Note: You will be provided a towel at the cenotes, so use that first!

Tipping is always a touchy subject. If you're a resident of one of the all-inclusive Xcaret resorts, you may be wondering if you should tip your guide following the Xenotes tour? Is it expected? Is it even allowed?

Tipping is allowed and encouraged on the Xenotes tour. If you're a guest at one of the all-inclusive resorts run by Xcaret, this may catch you off-guard as tipping isn't expected or even mentioned within the resorts.

At the end of your tour, your guide will let you know that you can tip. It's up to you how much you want to tip. The standard is about USD 20-30 per person.

The Xenotes tour is fun, but it does take an entire day, and you may not want to spend a full day doing things you may have done at other places. Here are some other options where you can experience some of the activities involved with the Xenotes trip.

If you're looking for ideas of how to plan your stay at Xcaret Arte, check out our 7-day Xcaret Arte itinerary .

While the xenotes tour includes four different types of cenote that are exclusive to Grupo Xcaret, there are several other cenotes that can be visited.

Other vendors. There are several cenotes around Mexico, and several options for joining them. Make sure you're opting for a reputable travel group when booking.

Xel-Ha Cenotes . Xcaret also has the Xel-Ha Cenotes combined package. This tour takes you to a cenote as well as to Xel-Ha park.

Xichén tours. Xcaret offers two tours to Chichen Itza, both include a stop at a cenote as well (either Zaci or Xcajum, depending on which tour you join).

Xplor/Xplor Fuego . Xcaret's Xplor Park is possibly the best ziplining experience you'll find in Mexico. If ziplining is your thing, Xplor will give you more opportunities to zip around than the Xenotes tour.

If you're looking mostly to swim, check out Xcaret Park or Xel-Ha. Both have some great swimming options (with Xel-Ha providing more options but Xcaret providing more general variety).

Xcaret's Xenotes tour is a great time. If you're staying at any of Grupo Xcaret's all-inclusive resorts, the tour is included with your stay (you just need to book a spot for yourself), and is a no-brainer if you've never visited cenotes before.

If you're visiting the Cancun area and are interesting in checking out cenotes, this is still a great option. Price-wise it is line with most full day cenote trips with the assurance of the Xcaret brand. The Xenotes tour is also a smaller group, giving it a much more private feel.

But now it's your turn. Have you been to any cenotes? Or the Xenotes tour itself? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

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Excellent:: Xenotes Enigmatic Water... - Xcaret

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Excellent:: Xenotes Enigmatic Water Tour by xcaret

I am only talking about the Enigmatic Waters Tour -- if you are physically healthy and don't have water phobias or other issues; this is a MUST DO excursion. So far, this is one of the best excursions in my life and I've been a lot of places. Our guides took great care of us as we visited 4 very different Xenotes and did zip lining at all of them. There was snorkeling, kayaking, swimming in an almost Jurassic Park-like settings. In between, there was good food for lunch and everyone loved it. I did cliff diving which is very doable and fun. It's good for guys over 50+ too. Please go!

Research what you want to do once at the park. All of the fun activities cost substantially more once you get in the park. The activities are fun, just expensive. There parasailing was very nice. The ocean color is amazing. The sea trek was interesting. The helmets are really heavy. It's hard to see and really disorienting. The underground river swim was fun. FYI, don't exit the river early without knowing you have to go to the normal river exit at the very end to pick up your locked belongings bag. Huge hassle, they don't tell you that. It is a beautiful location, amazing.

I would highly recommend Xcaret to everyone wanting a fun, slightly different day out. The park has so much to offer from water activities like the lazy river, plenty of animals like horses and birds, aquariums and the evening shows. You definitely get your money’s worth, we arrived at 10am and left at 9.30pm. Lots of walking so be prepared with good shoes. We paid extra to have a go on the ‘Adrenalina’ speed boat. Again, definitely worth paying the extra to have a go. The boat takes you out into the sea doing a mixture between spins and dives, be prepared as you get completely drench but that’s all part of the fun. The 2 men who take you out are helarious. Get you cheering and enjoying yourself. Facilities where great, lots of showers to use throughout the whole day. I did read a lot of reviews about pricing for food/drink and photos etc. In comparison to the UK yes it is a bit pricey for photos but what you get for the money you pay is so worth it. The food and drink is not expensive.! The photos I have added come from the photo package, you download them off of the internet. I used my iPhone and the quality is great. If you have the opportunity, I definitely recommend using the Xcaret transport rather than a taxi. Our TUI rep recommended we get a taxi because it’s cheaper but they provide you with hints/tips of the park and prepare you for the day which you wouldn’t get with a taxi. Our operator was called Gustavo and was fantastic. Made us laugh, gave us every bit of info that we could have possibly needed and got us excited for the day as well. It’s Fun for all the family and as you would expect the staff go above and beyond to ensure you have a great day. I can’t wait to go back.!

We had a blast. Floating through caves, historical walking trail were our favorites. Nice butterfly display. True artisans making wares. Had a fab meal at the bar restaurant overlooking the waters. We had to leave at 3 so we missed the pm show everyone raves about

There is nothing like it in the U.S. and it's worth every penny of the price of admission .... the shows at the end of the day, were worth the price of admission alone!

I cannot believe the Florida person who wasn't impressed... I travel in Florida a lot and I'll say that this park is better than anything in Florida 10x over! It's like Discovery Cove, but REAL and full of culture and history, as well as beautiful scenery. I have this on my bucket list to go back but I'm worried about the safety of being in Mexico in general. I want to go back and will at some point. We spent only one day there and only did about half of what there is to do. It is huge. I would definitely spend two days there next time. We did the underground river first, which was a great way to get to the back of the park and work your way forward. You can snorkel and you won't get eaten by an alligator, like you would if you snorkeled in a Florida river. This place is SO worth it!

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Xenotes Enigmatic Waters Tour was... - Xcaret

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Xenotes Enigmatic Waters Tour was amazing!

One day, we spent the day at the Xenotes Enigmatic Waters Tour. This was free – or included in our stay. It was unreal. Elias was our tour guide and he was so much fun. We rode zip lines into the water, kayaked, snorkeled, rappelled into a cave, and swam in a different cave. We had a photographer, Elizabeth, and she took 375 pics for us!! There were 9 of us, we bought the 375 pics for $145 - $16/ person – not bad! And when we got back to the hotel room, all the pictures were playing on the TV.

This is simply and amazing place to visit and should be #1 on your list of things to do in Cancun if you have children with you. Teens and little ones will all enjoy it (unlike Chichen Itzá where it is hot and the little will get tired of it fast). The place is huge and takes a whole day to see. Most tours leave at 7am and return you at about 11pm. Sounds terribly long right? I thought we would be too tired to stay the whole day so we didn't go until mid-day. BIG mistake. You can swim with dolphins, sharks and Rays...see manatees turtles and jaguars. There is more to see than you will have time for AND all of it is well done.There are a lot of different environments to visit and there is quite a bit of walking, BUT when you get tired you can go sit and eat, swim in the ocean, or swim in the underground river or many other things...many ways to relax and rest up. And what do you want to rest up for?...the nightly show. The show starts at 7pm and is well worth the stay. They do an amazing job. There were many moments where the crowd was just wowed. STAY for the show!! Even if you normally don't like cultural shows you will love this one. For some extra money, you can make it a dinner show. I LOVED the whole experience and really wish we had gone in the morning.

Pity, that Nexus Tour Gide did not tell us enough about this park. Nice place with lots of things. The big minus- cold water. It was cloudy and swimming with dolphins came to be not delightful due to cold water. 8 years daughter took part in half of adventure. 18th came from underwater experience with tooth-squishing... but the caves, park itself, Cousine, were nice enough. Everyone would find what to do.

We already had bad memories about this place but we thought we would give it another shot. More legs than fishes in the snorkeling. A rip-off don’t waste your time.

Dear visitor, Thank you so much for your comments and for giving us a second chance. We understand your comments regarding the large number of people in the underground rivers, considering that Xcaret is visited by many tourists, especially on holiday season. Also we have diving staff that is along the river verifying that the activity is carried out properly and we just let swim at the same time a certain number of visitors. We do this in order to protect visitors’ security and the natural environment. We are working to improve our efficiency in handling crowds. Thank you for contacting Experiencias Xcaret!

My husband and I recently spent the day at this magnificent park. We got there early and headed to the aviary. There were many species of birds to view in a beautiful setting. We also watched birds hatch in an incubator. We went through the butterfly pavilion but there was not a lot to see. By the time we got to the river swim it was packed and there were long lines to get lockers. Once we were in the river it didn't seem crowded at all. This was by far our favorite part of the day. By the time we finished, we grabbed lunch at at buffet. The food was okay and again there were huge crowds. We wanted to go in the natural pools but they were closed. There were chairs available overlooking the water so we sat and relaxed for a little while. When we arrived to swim in the river a second time I was surprised to find the crowds were completely gone. If I were to go again, I would wait until later in the day to go next time. After our second river, we shopped and waited for the evening show. It was amazing. We loved the game with fire. Overall, I loved this park and hope to go again in the future.

So the park had one big attraction- swimming through the river flowing through caves. I super loved it. Other than that, rest of the attractions (non-paid) are average. Overall, it was fun and the buffet restaurants are really good.

Dear Visitor, We appreciate your feedback and comments. We have other different activities besides the optional activities that we wish you have enjoyed, let me mention a few of them: -The Paradise River, where you can enjoy the nature from a small raft, sailing through the deep jungle and testify beautiful sceneries. -Our natural pools which are very great for a refreshing swim, but are also perfect for relaxing while listening to the sea tides. -The lagoon where you can immerse yourself in its waters and explore among passages and caves. - The aviary and butterfly section. It is good to know you enjoyed the buffet, we try to have a variety of options for all the visitors. Hoping you visit us again and get the chance to enjoy the rest of our activities. Thank you for contacting Experiencias Xcaret!

Xenotes Review: Is This Cenote Tour Worth It in 2024?

Are you interested in the Xenotes Xcaret tour in Riviera Maya Mexico and wondering if it’s worth it? You’ve come to the right guide!

As a travel blogger that lives in Playa del Carmen , I’ve become a resident expert on the Xcaret adventure parks and tours.

Xenotes is an all-inclusive cenote tour that takes you on a unique adventure to four private cenotes–it’s the perfect activity if you’ve never been to a cenote before!

But if you’re just starting to learn about Xenotes and all of the Grupo Xcaret offerings from afar, it can be confusing and overwhelming to navigate.

Don’t worry, I’ve broken it all down for you in this comprehensive Xenotes review , where you’ll learn everything you need to know about the Xenotes tour experience including:

• A tour overview
• Pros and cons
• In-depth activity reviews
• Food and beverage reviews
• Visitor info
• Money-saving tips

So by the end of the review, you should have an idea of what to expect when visiting Xenotes and be able to make an informed decision on whether or not it will be worth it for you.

Ready to find out if Xenotes is right for you? Let’s get started!

🏆 Best All-Inclusive Cenote tour

Pros: ✅ All-Inclusive Ticket ✅ Food & Transportation Included ✅ Less Commercialized

Cons: ❌ Can Get Crowded ❌ Lots of Physical Activity ❌ Expensive Photo Package

Discount : 15% off at least 21 days in advance

Is Xenotes Worth It?

Xenotes is definitely worth it if you’ve never visited a cenote before and are looking for something fun and adventurous to do in Riviera Maya.

It’s the best cenote tour in Playa del Carmen , where you’ll get to experience four different types of cenotes in one day, unlike anywhere else in the world.

This action packed Xcaret cenote tour is really a one-stop shop where you can experience fun water activities like zip lining, kayaking, rappelling, and cliff jumping.

Set in the middle of the Mayan jungle, all activities take place in a natural environment that does not feel overly commercialized.

And with small groups of around 15 people, you’ll get a more personalized experience.

Plus, it’s an all inclusive tour so all food, drinks, and round-trip transportation is included for a very fun, unique, and well-organized adventure tour experience.

I had such a blast on the Xenotes tour and found it to be more than worth it for the overall convenience and extremely fun activities! Honestly everything is taken care of for you!

🤑 Automatically get 15% off Xenotes tickets when booking at least 21 days in advance!

What is Xenotes Like?

Xenotes is an all-inclusive tour offered by Grupo Xcaret, which brings you to four different Riviera Maya cenotes along the famous “Ruta de los Cenotes” near Puerto Morelos.

ℹ️ Previously called Xenotes Oasis Maya, Xenotes is now known as Xenotes, Enigmatic Waters Tour by Xcaret .

Xcaret arranges a circuit of different activities at each of the four private cenotes that includes kayaking, swimming, rappelling, and ziplining. 

Each cenote on the tour is a different type, letting you experience the natural wonders of Mexico’s Riviera Maya actively.

Beautiful Ha Cenote treats you to a semi-open cenote with hanging vegetation and beautiful underground gardens for snorkeling and kayaking. Water ziplines happen over Iik Cenote , where you can also cliff jump over 20 feet high.

You’ll try assisted rappelling at Lu’um Cenote , a cavern cenote with million-year-old formations. K’aak’ Cenote offers an adrenaline rush with water slides, ziplines, and cliff jumps.

And best of all, this full day all inclusive Xenotes tour includes round-trip transportation, a continental breakfast, deli lunch, drinks, and some alcohol. 

Where is Xenotes Located?

Xenotes cenote park is located in Puerto Morelos , Mexico, about 1 hour north of Playa del Carmen.  

Driving times from nearby destinations are as follows:

• Playa del Carmen to Xenotes : 1 hour
• Tulum to Xenotes : 2 hours
• Cancun to Xenotes : 1 hour 15 minutes

Xenotes Map

How Do You Pronounce Xenotes?

Xenotes is pronounced “Shay-know-tays”.  The key to pronouncing the Xcaret names correctly is to pronounce the X as either an “Ish” or a “Sh” sound. 

Who is Xenotes Suited For?

If you’re looking for a unique outdoor adventure while visiting Riviera Maya, Mexico, the Xenotes water tour will be perfect for you.

Adventurous travelers who love adrenaline-pumping water activities and are looking for a water park experience in Riviera Maya will especially enjoy this tour.

Xenotes is also a great family-friendly activity for children ages 5 and older, though kids may have more fun if they’re a bit older.

But for both kids and adults, the Xenotes tour will be an unforgettable experience!

Who is Xenotes NOT Suited For?

If you do not like water activities or getting wet, then the Xenotes tour is not for you.  With so many water activities, you’ll be dripping wet the majority of the time!

You don’t have to be a strong swimmer to enjoy Xenotes as life jackets are mandatory, but you probably won’t have a good time if you are uncomfortable being in the water.

With lots of swimming, walking, and climbing involved, the tour can also be physically demanding so if you’re not able to walk or swim for long periods of time, it’s probably not the best place for you.

⚠️ There are also some important safety considerations to be aware of before booking your Xenotes tour.  Due to the nature of the activities, the Xenotes tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people that have:

• Heart, lung, or spine conditions
• High blood pressure

Xenotes Activities Quick Overview

Here’s a quick overview of the activities at each cenote–scroll down for detailed descriptions and reviews of these cenote activities!

🗣️ The names of the cenotes are in the Mayan language, each representing one of the natural elements.  

Ha’ Cenote (Water)

Iik Cenote (Wind)

• Cliff jumps

Lu’um Cenote (Earth)

• Assisted rappelling

K’aak’ Cenote (Fire)

• Water slide

Xenotes Pros and Cons

Next, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of Xenotes that I’ll discuss further in this Xenotes Mexico review:

Xenotes Pros

• All-inclusive ticket with food and transportation included
• Fun and unique activities
• Very well-organized
• Feels less commercialized than the Xcaret parks

Xenotes Cons

• Can be crowded during high season
• Lots of physical activity
• Can feel a bit rushed
• Photo package is expensive

Xenotes Tickets

Xenotes offers one all-inclusive admission ticket that includes all activities, equipment, round-trip transportation with hotel pickup, a continental breakfast, buffet lunch, soft drinks, and beer and wine. 

How to Book Xenotes Tickets

The best way and most secure way to purchase Xenotes tickets is by booking on the official park website , which has some automatic discounts and frequent promotions. 

Once you purchase your tickets, you’ll receive an email confirmation where you’ll need to print your tickets and present them on the day of your tour. 

How to Save Money on Xenotes Tickets

There are a few different Xcaret discounts available–take advantage of these automatic discounts outlined below to get the best deal on Xenotes tickets and avoid paying full price for the tour.

Book in advance

You can automatically save by booking online on the official website in advance:

• 10% off – ticket purchase 7 to 20 days in advance
• 15% off – ticket purchase at least 21 days in advance

Create your own package

If you’re interested in visiting more than one of the Xcaret parks and tours , you can save by creating your own combination package:

• 15% off – ticket purchase for any combination package of two or more parks and tours
• 20% off – ticket purchase for any combination package of three or more parks and tours

Stay at one of the Xcaret hotels

Staying at an Xcaret all inclusive hotel gives you all “fun-inclusive” access to the parks and tours, meaning you get unlimited access to all of the Xcaret parks during your stay. 

This is an especially great option for families if you plan on visiting more than one of the parks.

Check out the hotel websites below for more info on these all inclusive resorts:

• Hotel Xcaret Mexico
• Hotel Xcaret Arte (adults only)
• La Casa de la Playa (boutique adults only)

🎨 Wondering what it’s like to stay at an Xcaret hotel? Find out in my Hotel Xcaret Mexico review and Hotel Xcaret Arte review !

Resident Discounts

Xcaret also offers a special discount for Quintana Roo residents which is valid only online or through the contact center.

Tickets for Quintana Roo residents can be purchased through the website here but it is only available in the Spanish language.

You’ll need to present an Official ID of Quintana Roo to get the best price and be eligible for the discount. For foreigners living in Quintana Roo, Temporary and Permanent Resident Cards are accepted.

Xenotes Arrival Experience

Here’s what you can expect on the day of your Xenotes experience:

Hotel Pickup

Roundtrip transportation is included with the Xenotes tour with pickup from your hotel, resort, or designated meeting point in Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or the Riviera Maya.

The private Xenotes vans are new and comfortable and bright green in color–they can’t be missed!

During pickup, you’ll meet your driver (who will also be your tour guide), get your wristbands, and sign a liability waiver.

🚨 Do you need travel insurance for Mexico? Yes! Most insurance plans in your home country will not cover incidents abroad. I recommend using Travel Insurance Master, which is a handy travel insurance marketplace where you can compare policies. Get a FREE quote by clicking here !

After you’re in the van, you’ll head to the Xenotes site and your tour guide will explain the day’s activities during the drive.

From Playa del Carmen, it takes a little over an hour to get there depending on the number of pickups.

When you’re in the van, you’ll want to get prepared for the day’s activities by putting on your water shoes and removing any watches, jewelry, or valuables.

Upon arriving at the Xenotes location, you’ll be directed to small outdoor pavilions with dining tables and bench seating.

Each cenote on the tour has these types of pavilions along with restrooms, showers, and changing rooms.

Before getting started, everyone is required to take a quick shower to remove any sunscreen, insect repellent, or chemicals that might be harmful to the cenote environment.

These are outdoor showers so be prepared for the water to be a bit cold!

Life Jackets

After showering, you’ll then put on life jackets (which are mandatory) and head to the first cenote.

Each cenote has a life jacket stand where you can select your preferred size.

Xenotes Review: Activities

Here’s a detailed look at each of the cenotes and my honest Xenotes reviews:

✅ Rating: 8/10

The first cenote we visited was the semi-open Ha’ Cenote (water), where you’ll start by kayaking down a narrow river between vertical rock walls in a double kayak, getting to see lush vegetation, overgrown trees, and a beautiful island in the center of the cenote. 

Then you’ll head to the other side of the cenote via an underground cave entrance. Snorkeling masks are provided, and you’ll be able to see tiny cenote fish, small catfish, and lily pads. 

Overall, I enjoyed kayaking the most–it was a very beautiful and relaxing experience and not too difficult to navigate.  I only wish it had lasted longer!

The snorkeling part of the cenote was a beautiful place with picturesque lily pads, but the visibility underwater wasn’t the best so you could really only see some tiny fish at the surface.

✅ Rating: 9/10

Iik Cenote (wind) is a large, open cenote where you’ll get to go flying through the air on overwater ziplines.

The zip lines are divided into two sides, each with two zip lines. You can choose to go on a seated hammock or hang from a monkey bar. 

I personally enjoyed the seated hammock because it was more comfortable and there were some funny positions to choose from including the Spiderman, Superman, Princess, and my personal favorite–Miley Cyrus’s Wrecking Ball!

Each person gets to go on the water ziplines three times, so you can really get a good feel for it. And if you’re feeling brave, you can also choose to cliff jump from the zipline platform at a height of around 20 feet.

Overall, I had a blast at Iik Cenote and really enjoyed the water ziplines–they were thrilling but not too scary and it was very comical watching everyone trying to perfect their pose!

Lu’um Cenote (earth) is a deep underground cavern cenote unlike any other, with its hanging tree roots and cascading vegetation. 

You’ll put on a harness and helmet before climbing to the top of a wooden platform.  Then you’ll try assisted rappelling down under the earth and into the cold cenote waters. 

You can even choose to rappel upside down if you wish. With the harness and help of the guides, it feels very safe and secure–I only wished it had lasted longer! 

Lu’um is the deepest cenote you’ll visit on the tour so the water is extremely cold , but it’s such an exhilarating experience. You’ll also get to jump from a small ledge into the refreshing waters below. 

Overall, Lu’um Cenote was probably the most unique cenote you’ll visit on the tour–the hanging tree roots are really spectacular.  And getting to rappel directly into the water is such a rush!

K’aak’ Cenote (fire) is an open cenote with a variety of activities to keep you entertained, starting with a short water slide that shoots you out into the cenote. 

You can then climb back to the top for more overwater ziplines from a hanging monkey bar.

And after you drop from the ziplines, you’ll swim or inner tube for about 200 meters between stone walls where you can choose to do a cliff jump for one final rush. 

Overall, Ka’ak’ Cenote was relaxing and fun with a whole circuit of activities. The water was warm and comfortable, making it the perfect place to end the day with some final jumps and splashes.

Xenotes Review: Food and Beverage 

Here’s an overview of the Xenotes food and beverage offerings:

Xenotes Breakfast

✅ Rating: 7/10

Continental breakfast is included in the tour and is available to enjoy after the first cenote.

You’ll return to the pavilion, where a light breakfast buffet will be set up with apples and pastries.  Drink options include coffee, hot chocolate, and fruit waters.

Overall, the Xenotes breakfast was pretty basic but was a nice simple treat after the first cenote.  If you prefer something more filling, you’ll definitely want to eat a heartier breakfast before leaving your hotel. 

Xenotes Lunch

After the third cenote, you’ll also be treated to a buffet lunch, which is a “jungle picnic”.  The Xenotes lunch buffet is basically a deli bar where you can build your own gourmet sandwiches.

The sandwich buffet includes a variety of rustic breads, deli meats, salmon, premium cheeses, and salad bar type toppings.  

Additional sides include soup, tortilla chips, seasonal fruit, and chocolate brownies. A variety of drinks like soda, bottled water, wine, and beer are also available. 

Overall, I was impressed with the lunch buffet at Xenotes.  Some of the toppings are probably a little more unusual than what you may be accustomed to, but you’ll still be able to build a tasty sandwich.

Plus, the wine and beer is a nice added touch!

Xenotes Review: Services and Amenities

Here’s an overview of the services and amenities available at Xenotes Riviera Maya:

All necessary safety equipment is provided with Xenotes tours including life jackets, kayaks and paddles, snorkel masks, harnesses, and helmets. 

The use of the life jacket is mandatory for all activities and there is a life jacket stand at each cenote.

Restrooms, Showers, & Changing Rooms

Clean and well-maintained restrooms, showers, and changing rooms are located at each of the 4 cenotes, making it very easy to take bathroom breaks or freshen up throughout the day.

Photo Package

One of the biggest takeaways of the Xenotes tour is the photo package.  Each group will have a professional photographer that follows them around during the day taking the best high quality pictures.  

While the photo package can be expensive, it’s a great way to capture your memories if you don’t have a GoPro or waterproof camera.

Plus, they’re positioned in the best vantage points to get all the best action shots from the cliff jumps and ziplines.

If you do wish to purchase your Xenotes photos, the payment can be made by cash or credit card at the end of the day.

You’ll then receive a redemption code where you can download your Xenotes pictures online.

Travelista Tip: Save money by adding the photo package ahead of time when booking your tickets online.  This is cheaper than what you’ll pay on the day of your visit.  I personally bought the photo package and thought it was worth it!

Xenotes Transportation

Round trip transportation is included in the Xenotes tour and the brightly-colored green vans are large, comfortable, and have waterproof seats.  

Each group will be assigned to one van that will be used for the entire day–where you’ll drive from one cenote to the next and then back to your hotel or resort.

Since there are no lockers at Xenotes, the van will also be used to store personal belongings.  There weren’t any issues with this on my tour but it’s best not to leave any valuables just to be safe.

Xenotes Alternatives

If you’re looking for Xenotes alternatives, there are a few other comparable options in Riviera Maya:

Cenote Zapote

Also located along the “Ruta de los Cenotes”, Cenote Zapote is a Riviera Maya eco-park that is probably the most comparable option to the Xenotes experience.

At Cenote Zapote, you can visit 3 different types of cenotes, as well as go ziplining and biking.  It’s a very fun experience but the Xenotes tour has more to offer in terms of water activities.

You can read my Cenote Zapote post for all the details!

Rio Secreto

Another option would be to visit Rio Secreto , which is an underground river system located just south of Playa del Carmen.  

At the Rio Secreto attraction, you can swim and trek through these underground caves, as well as go biking and rappelling. 

This impressive network of underground rivers and caverns feels very natural and untouched, but does not offer quite as many activities as Xenotes. 

You can read more my full Rio Secreto review for all the details!

Another comparable option from Grupo Xcaret would be Xplor , which is an adventure park known for having the best ziplining in Playa del Carmen , as well as amphibious vehicles, and a stalactite river swim.

Xplor will give you an adrenaline rush with its variety of land, water, and adventure activities but overall feels more commercialized than the Xenotes park in the heart of the jungle. 

You can read my full Xplor review for all the details!

And if you’re interested in visiting more than one of the Xcaret parks, you can create your own package and get an automatic bundle discount. 

What to Wear to Xenotes

Below is what I would recommend wearing on the Xcaret Xenotes tour:

• Swimsuit: Definitely wear a swimsuit as you will 100% be getting wet! I always prefer to wear a one-piece swimsuit to be most comfortable when jumping or putting on a harness, life jacket, etc. 
• Rash Guard: I would also recommend wearing a rash guard , which is a long-sleeve swim shirt to protect you from the sun and also keep you warm in the water.  The cenote temperatures can be cold (especially at Lu’um) so wear a rash guard to be the most comfortable. 
• Water Shoes: I would highly recommend wearing water shoes as I’m not sure how the tour can be done without them! You’ll be swimming, climbing up stairs, and walking over rocky jungle areas so water shoes are an absolute must to protect your feet.
• Waterproof Shorts : I usually like to wear waterproof shorts over my swimsuit just to be a little more comfortable when you’re out of the water.  There are some covered rest areas at each cenote where you can leave your things before getting in the water.

What to Bring to Xenotes

Here are the essential items to bring to Xenotes by Xcaret:

• GoPro or waterproof camera: Bring a GoPro or waterproof camera to capture some epic memories of the fun activities at Xenotes.  I brought my GoPro and was able to use it on all of the activities.  
• Waterproof phone pouch : If you don’t have a GoPro, then consider bringing a waterproof phone pouch to take pictures with your cell phone.  This of course should be used at your own risk but there were a few people on my tour that used one and didn’t seem to have any issues. 
• Change of Clothes : Bring an extra change of clothes to change into at the end of the day to be dry and comfortable for the long drive back to your hotel. 
• Cash or credit cards : Bring cash or credit cards to pay for the photo package and tips for the tour guides. 

Tips for Visiting Xenotes

Follow these tips to make the most of your Xenotes experience:

• Bring water shoes: Water shoes are an absolute must when visiting Xenotes and you will be suffering if you don’t bring them! You can pick up a pair on Amazon here .
• Be prepared to be unplugged: The Xenotes cenote park is located in the middle of the jungle where there is no internet or cell phone service.  Be prepared to be unplugged and be sure to attend to any important matters before arriving. 
• Buy the photo package ahead of time: You’ll save money if you add the photo package ahead of time when purchasing your tickets online.  Consider this if you think you’ll want the Xenotes photos of your visit–they really do give you the best action shots!
• Don’t wear any sunscreen: Sunscreen (even biodegradable) is prohibited at Xenotes to protect the ecosystem of the cenotes. You’ll be required to shower before entering the first cenote so don’t even bother putting on any sunscreen.  Most of the cenotes are pretty shady but if you’re concerned about sun protection, then consider wearing a rash guard .
• Don’t bring a towel: Towels are provided at Xenotes so you won’t need to bring one.  You will be getting wet at each cenote so it’s best to wait and use your towel at the end of the tour.
• Don’t bring valuables : There are no lockers at Xenotes and all personal belongings will be left in the group van.  It’s best not to bring any valuables and only bring only what you need for the day’s activities.

Xenotes Tour: FAQs

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Xenotes Riviera Maya:

The Xenotes tour is available every Monday-Saturday (closed Sundays).

The Xenotes tour is a full day tour and lasts approximately 8-9 hours depending on the size of your group and pickup location.

The average water temperature of the cenotes is 75-78°F throughout the year.

The pickup time for the Xenotes tour is between 8AM-10AM depending on your hotel location.  I was picked up in downtown Playa del Carmen and the pickup time was 9:05AM.

Yes, food is included at Xenotes.  A continental breakfast with pastries and hot drinks is provided at the end of the first cenote.  You’ll then be treated to a lunch buffet with soft drinks, beer, and wine after the third cenote. 

Yes, Xenotes is a great family-friendly activity for kids ages 5 and older.  With so many action packed activities, it’s probably best suited for slightly older kids and those that are very comfortable being in water. 

The minimum age requirement for Xenotes is 5 years of age.  For the zip line activity, a minimum height of 4.5 ft (1.4 m) and a minimum weight of 88 lbs (40 kg) are required.

Reservations canceled more than two days in advance of the date of visit are subject to a 10% administration fee. Reservations canceled in 2 days or less before the visit date, or in case of a no-show, are not refundable. More information on the Xenotes cancellation policy can be found here .  

Xenotes Review Final Thoughts

So, is Xenotes worth it?  I honestly had a blast at Xenotes and thought it provides outstanding value for the money. 

It’s just as expensive as many of the other attractions in Riviera Maya but provides a full day outdoor adventure with roundtrip transportation, food, and drinks included.  

Basically, they do all of the work for you so you just have to have fun! Plus, you’ll get to experience some amazing natural cenotes, unlike anywhere else in the world. 

If it’s your first time visiting Riviera Maya and you want to see some cenotes, then I would highly recommend Xenotes.  It’s really the most hassle-free option to experience a variety of different cenotes in one day.  

Plus, what I loved about Xenotes is that you’ll be in a smaller group and the park feels much more natural and less commercialized than any of the other Xcaret adventure parks. 

So what do you think, are you ready to book your ticket to Xenotes?!

Allison Sicking is the founder of Viva La Travelista. After moving to Playa del Carmen, Mexico in 2018, she created her travel blog to empower others to travel safely and confidently in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries. Using her Spanish language skills and expertise in Mexico travel, she is passionate about teaching others to travel Mexico like a local.

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• About this activity

Tour Cenotes Enigmatic Waters by Xcaret

• Free cancellation available
• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Selective hotel pickup
• Features animals Features animals
• Guided access to 4 unique cenotes in natural surroundings
• Zip-lining over geological formations in Yucatán Peninsula
• Snorkeling & kayaking in the blue water of natural sinkholes
• Opportunity to rappel safely down cave walls
• Aid of a professional guide & roundtrip transportation

Activity location

• Ruta de Cenotes
• 77580, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
• Wed, May 1 -
• Thu, May 2 $143
• Fri, May 3 $143
• Sat, May 4 $143
• Sun, May 5 -
• Mon, May 6 $143
• Tue, May 7 $143
• Wed, May 8 $143
• Thu, May 9 $143
• Fri, May 10 $143
• Sat, May 11 $143
• Sun, May 12 -
• Mon, May 13 $143
• Tue, May 14 $143
• Wed, May 15 $143

Xenotes Enigmatic Waters Excursion

• Activity duration is 9 hours 9h 9h
• Food and Drinks

In Xenotes you will get different adventures: rappelling, ziplining, kayaking and snorkeling. Learn from an expert guide about cenote formation and admire the various physical attributes of each type of sinkhole. During this fun flurry of activity hear about the mythical spirit-guardians that protect these cenote sites. Enjoy cookies and chocolate after the 1st cenote adventure and then after the 3rd taste scrumptious gourmet picnic lunch .

Round-trip transport from your hotel is included. If your hotel is not listed in our routes we are going to pick you up in the nearest meeting point available.

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included Admission to Xenotes Oasis Maya
• What's included What's included Roundtrip transportation to and from most Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Riviera Maya hotels
• What's included What's included Light lunch, coffee, chocolate, and sweet breads
• What's included What's included Xenotes equipment includes towels, life jackets, snorkeling, rappel gear, and/or inner tube
• What's included What's included Brunch (Food and beverages)
• What's included What's included Restrooms and changing rooms
• What's included What's included Commentary in English and Spanish

Know before you book

• Children 5 and younger are not allowed.
• If you have heart or lung ailments, asthma, back problems, hypertension, or you are pregnant, you should not participate.
• The pickup operates from different hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya so it is necessary to contact Customer Service of Grupo Xcaret to know the exact schedule of your pickup by calling in Mexico 998-883-3143 or by sending a message to [email protected]
• Children 6 and older must be accompanied by a paying adult.
• If you are traveling with infants, it is necessary to add them in your booking since by the Mexican law they must be included in the passenger list of the bus / van
• The start time shown on your voucher, is informative.
• Changes in visit dates between high and low seasons will have additional payments on the day of your visit. Prices are available on Expedia's app calendar.

What you can expect

Spend your day on an authentic adventure exploring 4 unique cenotes (natural sinkholes) in Mexico. Let your expert tour guide show you the way as you zip-line, kayak, rappel, and snorkel into some of Mexico's natural wonders.

Enjoy roundtrip transportation and relax on your ride into Xenotes Oasis Maya. Cenotes are breath-taking natural geological formations, perfect for the adventurer inside you. Explore the crystal-clear groundwater and take in the natural caverns that surround you.

Each of the 4 cenotes offers a unique activity. Try your hand at zip-lining, rappelling, kayaking, and snorkeling. Towel off for lunch and enjoy a variety of food including soups, cheeses, deli meats, rustic breads, and an assortment of fresh sides. These free-formed cenotes offer a safe and relaxing environment for a natural escape from the daily grind.

• Guided tour

Moscow at Night: City Sightseeing Tour by Car/Bus

• Description
• Choose date

When the Sun begins to set, the myriad lights and firefly-like cars buzzing around on the wide highways see Moscow burst into life. This unreal sight is best enjoyed from the height of the capital’s famous viewpoints, Moscow in the evening is truly, truly spectacular. We invite you with pleasure to see the magic of Moscow under the bright night lights!

On this tour, you can expect to see incredible views and the magical transformation sunset has on Moscow’s most iconic buildings, the highlights of which being:

• The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a more solemn yet festive sight with its dimly lit lanterns.
• Basil's Cathedral’s fun and colourful onion domes give off the aura of a mysterious castle, growing out of the darkness of the imposing State Duma building nearby.
• The spectacularly illuminated Bolshoi Theatre and the Alexander Garden walkway, itself painted in a whimsical pattern of shadows.
• The legendary Lubyanka Square, steeped in secrecy; just its hearing its name after dark is enough to trigger goosebumps, given its murky past.
• The House on the Embankment, where old legends are revived and ghostly silhouettes lurk.
• The Russian State Library, where vague shadows have been seen flickering in its windows. Who knows, could this be the legendary bibliologist Rubakin protecting the works of literary art that lie within its walls?
• Incredible views from the height of the observation deck at Sparrow Hills. The candle-like skyscrapers of "Moscow-City" shoot into the night in a blaze of glorious light, all reflected back to the observer by the dark waters of the Moscow River. Lest not forget the blood-red fountains on Poklonnaya Hill! An absolutely fantastic spectacle which cannot be seen by day.

Our expert guides will share one thousand and one interesting stories about the aforementioned and other sights, whilst at the same time detailing the vast history of our beautiful capital, past and present.

Come with us and treat yourself to an unforgettable experience amongst the bright lights if Moscow!

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Meeting point We'll pick you up at your hotel

St. Basil's Cathedral

House on the Embankment

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Vorobyovy Hills

Poklonnaya Hill

Moscow-City

Alexander garden

Russian State Library

Bolshoi Theatre

End of the tour

Choose your dates

Select time, who's going.

• Excursion Moscow at Night: City Sightseeing Tour by Car/Bus
• Date and time:
• Who's going:

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Theatres in Moscow

Cultural life of Moscow city is various and rich! Operas, ballets, symphonic concerts... Russian composers have created some of the most beautiful classical music. Russian classical music is very popular in Moscow. It is performed in many beautiful historical venues. Do not forget to include a visit to a concert hall in your itinerary when you are planning your stay in Moscow! And do it in advance.

There are almost no restrictions on dress code in Russian theatres. Visitors may wear jeans and sports shoes, they may have a backpack with them. Only shorts are not allowed.

A typical feature of Russian theatre – visitors are bringing a lot of flowers which they present to their favorite performers after the show.

Here are some practical advices where to go and how to buy tickets.

The Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is the oldest, the most famous and popular opera and ballet theatre in Russia. The word “Bolshoi” means “big” in Russian. You can buy a ticket online in advance, 2-3 months before the date of performance on the official website . Prices for famous ballets are high: 6-8 thousand rubles for a seat in stalls. Tickets to operas are cheaper: you can get a good seat for 4-5 thousand rubles. Tickets are cheaper for daytime performances and performances on the New Stage. The New Stage is situated in the light-green building to the left of the Bolshoi's main building. The quality of operas and ballets shown on the New Stage is excellent too. However, you should pay attention that many seats of the Bolshoi’s Old and New Stages have limited visibility . If you want to see the Bolshoi’s Old Stage but all tickets are sold out, you can order a tour of the theatre. You can book such a tour on the official website.

If you want, following Russian tradition, to give flowers to the performers at the end of the show, in the Bolshoi flowers should be presented via special staff who collects these flowers in advance.

In August the Bolshoi is closed.

The Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre

This theatre is noteworthy. On one hand, it offers brilliant classical opera and ballet performances. On the other hand, it is an experimental venue for modern artists. You can check the program and buy tickets online here http://stanmus.com/ . If you are opera lover, get a ticket to see superstar Hibla Gerzmava . The theatre has a very beautiful historic building and a stage with a good view from every seat. Tickets are twice cheaper than in the Bolshoi.

The Novaya Opera

“Novaya” means “New” in Russian. This opera house was founded in 1991 by a famous conductor Eugene Kolobov. Its repertoire has several directions: Russian and Western classics, original shows and divertissements, and operas of the 20th and 21st centuries. It is very popular with Muscovites for excellent quality of performances, a comfortable hall, a beautiful Art Nouveau building and a historic park Hermitage, which is situated right next to it. You can buy tickets online here http://www.novayaopera.ru/en .

Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center

The Opera Center has become one of the best theatrical venues in Moscow. It was founded in 2002 by great diva Galina Vishnevskaya. Nowadays its artistic director is Olga Rostropovich, daughter of Galina Vishnevskaya and her husband Mstislav Rostropovich, great cellist and conductor. Not only best young opera singers perform here, but also world music stars do; chamber and symphonic concerts, theatrical productions and musical festivals take place here. You can see what is on the program here http://opera-centre.ru/theatre . Unfortunately “booking tickets online” is available in Russian only. If you need help, you can contact us at and we can book a ticket for you. 

Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and The Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory

These are two major concert halls for symphonic music in Moscow. Both feature excellent acoustics, impressive interior, various repertoire and best performers. You can check the program here http://meloman.ru/calendar/ . You need just to switch to English. Booking tickets online is available only for owners of Russian, Ukrainian and Belorussian phone numbers. If you need help, you can contact us and we can book a ticket for you. 

Moscow International Performing Arts Center (MIPAC)

This modern and elegant concert hall houses performances of national and foreign symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, solo instrumentalists, opera singers, ballet dancers, theatre companies, jazz bands, variety and traditional ensembles. Actually, it has three concert halls placed on three different levels and having separate entrances. The President of MIPAC is People’s Artist of the USSR Vladimir Spivakov, conductor of “Virtuosy Moskvy” orchestra. You can see pictures of the concert halls here http://www.mmdm.ru/en/content/halls . The program is impressive in its variety but is not translated into English. You can contact us at and we can find a performance for you.